1 Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students

Hiring Resources for Smeal

Undergraduate International

Students

Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students 2

International Student Internship Eligibility

• International students are REQUIRED to meet with the Directorate of International Student & Scholar Advising (DISSA) before applying to an internship and also after accepting the internship. DISSA offers advising, immigration services, and training to support our international students, scholars, and faculty. This is to ensure that all visa requirements are properly met.

• Students MUST enroll in BA395A to earn one credit for a summer internship because CPT, which is not a required part of a degree program, must be credit bearing. Be sure to review the CPT eligibility requirements and steps to authorization.

• Students are REQUIRED to have all necessary paperwork completed by the staff in the Directorate of International Student & Scholar Advising (DISSA).

• Failure to get the appropriate authorizations from DISSA can result in legal issues for the student that could result in deportation in certain cases.

• An internship is NOT a requirement for the curriculum of a Smeal College of Business undergraduate degree program. International students with F-1 or J-1 visas are required to be enrolled in the University with full time status (minimum of 12 credits) in the fall and spring semesters. Because the internship is not a requirement for Smeal students, there is no exception to the visa requirements. This means that a Smeal international student CANNOT accept the following positions:

• Fall semester internship• Spring semester internship• Spring/Summer co-op• Summer/Fall co-op

• International students are eligible to participate in SUMMER INTERNSHIPS ONLY.

It is your responsibility to speak with the Directorate of International Student & Scholar Advising (DISSA) if you have any questions regarding these expectations, consequences, or surrounding circumstances. We are committed to assisting all students in the pursuit of their career goals. Contact university staff if you are unsure what to do or an issue arises.

Contact the Directorate of International Student & Scholar Advising (DISSA)410 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802Phone: 814-865-6348Email: dissa-adviser@psu.edu

Contact the Business Career Center114 Business Building, University Park, PA 16802Phone: 814-865-3244Email: smealcareers@smeal.psu.edu

3 Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students

On-Campus Employment

F-1 and J-1 students are allowed to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. If you were registered in spring and are registered for the summer term or will enroll for the following fall, you may work full-time on campus (more than 20 hours per week) during the summer.

F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular practical training (CPT), employment which is an integral part of an established curriculum, is available to F-1 students who have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year. Students in English language programs are ineligible for practical training.

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Students who have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) which is temporary employment for twelve months in their field of study for purposes of gaining practical experience. Students typically use OPT upon completion of program of study.

Employment for F-1 and J-1 students is limited, and working without permission is a violation of status and a deportable offense. F-1 and J-1 students may not work off-campus without permission from the Directorate of International Student & Scholar Advising (DISSA). On-campus employment is permitted with certain restrictions. Students must complete employment paperwork with DISSA in order to work on-campus. A Social Security number is required for anyone receiving payment. DISSA can assist you with this process.

International Student Work Permissions

Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students 4

Finding an Internship or a Job as an International Student

Plan and ResearchThere are several ways that you can focus your internship and job search as an international student:• The Business Career Center maintains a list of companies that have hired Smeal students for CPT

and OPT.• Students searching for positions located outside of their country of citizenship should look for

positions for which the employer is willing to provide visa sponsorship. Follow the steps on page 6 to search for jobs that can provide visa sponsorship.

Resources• GoinGlobal has a large database of employers who have applied for a work visa for

international students. Penn State Career Services has an account with GoinGlobal so that you can access this resource. To access this resource, log in to Nittany Lion Careers and click the GoinGlobal link under ‘Links’ on the lower right side of the home page.

• MyVisaJobs lists the top 100 visa sponsors by year among other resources.• Use LinkedIn to connect with Penn State alumni who have worked/worked abroad. Conduct

informational interviews to learn more about their job search.• You may also plan to target corporations and organizations that do business in or with your

country of citizenship. Knowing the native language may prove to be a a critical factor when it comes to landing the job!

• If you find an internship that interests you, be sure to reference our Internship Evaluation Database to learn about previous student experiences with that particular company.

Educate and AdvocateSome companies will say that they don’t hire international students simply because they are unfamiliar with hiring policies and the legalities of hiring international students. Be knowledgeable about visa restrictions and your individual eligibility in order to advocate for yourself. You should also understand why companies may not be able to sponsor you, and know that this does not constitute discrimination.

5 Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students

CommunicateYou want to be sure that you practice your conversational English as much as possible if you plan to work in the United States. Joining a student organization is a great opportunity to network, gain leadership experience, and practice your communication skills.

Be sure to enroll in and highlight any English and/or communication courses you’ve enrolled in on your resume as additional evidence of your ability to communicate effectively.

The English for Professional Purposes Intercultural Center (EPPIC) at Penn State University offers English language support services for international students to enhance their skill and confidence in advanced academic and professional English, for career success. Schedule an appointment or find an upcoming workshop here.

Lastly, utilize the Business Career Center to practice your interviewing skills and become more aware of your nonverbal communication. Schedule an appointment through Nittany Lion Careers or visit our website to see when drop-in mock interview hours are.

Differentiate YourselfYou bring a unique global perspective to the workplace as an international student. Be ready to promote your language skills, cultural knowledge, and additional skills to employers in a manner that is appropriate for the country and company that you plan to work in.

Give context to explain your international experiences and be sure to submit a resume that is appropriately formatted depending on the location of the company you want to work at. GoinGlobal gives examples of what your resume should include for different countries.

Have a Plan BAccording to recent surveys, approximately 80% percent of international students intend to work in the US after graduating, yet less than 30% obtain an internship or full-time job offer in the US. It is critically important that you network with professionals and research companies in your home country or in other foreign countries.

Smeal International Student Post-Graduation Outcomes, 2017-18(self-reported data at graduation)

Full-Time Offers (in US and internationally) 21.8%

Internship 2.2%

Military 2.2%

Entrepreneurship 1.1%

Further Education/Fellowship 45.8%

Still Seeking (No Offer) 26.8%

Students Who Had at Least 1 Internship/Co-op (in US and internationally) 72.1%

Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students 6

1. In Nittany Lion Careers, click on the “Jobs” tab on the left side of the screen, then click “Search”.

2. Then, click “See All Jobs in System”.

Finding Positions for International Students in Nittany Lion Careers

7 Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students

3. Click the “More Filters” tab.

4. Under ‘Visa Sponsorship Offered?’, select “Yes”.

Note: choosing ‘No Selection’ is a possibility, but will require students to do additional research on if the position offers visa sponsorship.

Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students 8

International InternshipsExploring International Internship OpportunitiesStudents interested in interning abroad will have a challenging, exhilarating cultural experience that includes a chance to build work skills, while learning about the working environment of a different country. Some internships require proficiency in the language of the country. Required credit does not count toward Smeal graduation requirements or the International Business Minor.

Third-party International Internship ProvidersThird-party internships are project-based semester or summer experience, and are usually unpaid. Student pays a third party international internship provider to assist with making an internship connection, providing housing, orientation and ongoing support during the internship. Below is a list of Penn State affiliated programs. For students that want to look beyond Penn State options and take responsibility to evaluate other possibilities, there are many internship and service learning providers.

Penn State AffiliatedSummer Internship Programs opportunities include:

• Melbourne, Australia: The Intern Group: Melbourne Internship• Shanghai, China: CRCC Asia: Shanghai Internship• Dublin, Ireland: IES: Dublin Internship

Fall & Spring Study Abroad Programs with Internships Available opportunities include:• Vienna, Austria: IES: Vienna, European Society and Culture• Seville, Spain: CIEE: Seville• Buenos Aires, Argentina: IES: Buenos Aires, Latin American Societies and Cultures

Other Options Third Party International Providers opportunities include:

• Academic Internship Council: work in Boston, New York, San Francisco• Arcadia University: Australia: Sydney; Italy: Syracuse; Spain: Toledo; UK: Edinburgh • Dream Careers: China: Hong Kong; France: Paris; Spain: Barcelona; UK: London• IES Internships: work in Chicago, New York• The Intern Group: Canada: Toronto; China: Shanghai; Colombia: Medellin; Ireland:

Dublin; Japan: Tokyo; Spain: Barcelona, Madrid; UK: London

Service Learning Abroad and More Options Semester Study Abroad with an Internship or Service Learning Choice

• Students abroad for a full semester usually take 15 credits of classes, 3 credits of which could be a work experience 10-20 hours per week with a local/international employer, NGO, Social Organization, Community Center, etc.

Self Identified Service Learning Abroad• Students identify opportunities and complete full or part time service work for an NGO

or Social/Civic Organization independent of Penn State affiliation.• Students must carefully review programs to ensure they meet student needs (support,

safety, training, etc.) and the community’s needs by work toward a lasting solution to a community problem.community problem.

9 Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students

H1-B Visa FactsWhat are my chances of working in the US after graduation?

700Undergraduate

internationalstudents in the

Smeal College of Business

4,867Undergraduate

international students at Penn State (Univ. Park)

442,800Undergraduate

international students studying

in the US

85,000 VISAS ARE AVAILABLE

65,000 (regular cap)

20,000 advanced degrees

$6,460

Applying for a visa (whether you get one or not) can cost an employer up to

The approval rate for H-1B visas has declined

from 92% to 75% in the past two years

14.5% of Smeal international graduates reported full time employment in the US in 2017

Chart Title

1 2

Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students 10

Working in the US After GraduationPractical TrainingFor graduates in F-1 student status, Optional Practical Training allows up to twelve months of employment after graduation (for those holding Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math degrees, may get 24 additional months). The student must obtain permission from the university, and a work authorization card from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Directorate of International Student & Scholar Advising (DISSA) can help with this process and offers workshops for students to learn more.

H-1B VisasThis is a popular work visa. It is available to foreign nationals who have at least aUS bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent and will be working in a job that requires at least a bachelor's degree. Allows employment for 3 years, or longer with an extension.

H-B Cap: 85,000 new H-1B approvals are issued each year (CIS year - October 1 through September 30). CIS accepts cases beginning April 1 for October 1 H1Bs.

H-1B ExemptionsEach year, CIS exhausts the full quota of 65,000 “bachelor’s degree” H-1B’s and the additional 20,000 quota for U.S. advanced degree holders. As a result, many foreign students and employers seek alternatives to the H-1B. In addition, some employers qualify for an exemption from the H-1B quota. The following is a summary of exempt employers, and alternatives to the H-1B, which may allow a foreign graduate to remain and work in the United States after graduation.

Organizations Exempt from the H-1B QuotaCertain organizations are exempt from the H-1B quota. Exempt organizations can file H-1B applications at any time, regardless of the quota. Exempt organizations include:• Universities• Non-profit organizations affiliated with universities (such as research facilities or hospitals)• Non-profit research organizations, engaged primarily in basic or applied research• Governmental research organizations

Note that there is no blanket exemption for “non-profits”. To be exempt from the quota, the non-profit either must be affiliated with a university, or must be a non-profit “research organization.”

11 Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students

H-1B Alternatives

H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 Visas: Temporary Workers and TraineesThese visas are for short-term skilled/unskilled workers for temporary positions or training. They may be part-time positions H-2A/2B visas allow for a duration of stay of up to 1 year, and it is generally renewable for up to 3 years. H-3 Trainee visas allow for a duration of stay for 18-24 months.

J-1 Academic TrainingYou may participate in academic training during your studies or after your studies if the academic training is approved no later than 30 days after completion of studies. However, the period of academic training will begin to count upon the program end date. You are eligible for academic training as long as you meet the following criteria: • You are primarily in the United States to study rather than engage in academic training; • You are participating in academic training that is directly related to your major field of study; • You are in good academic standing; • You receive written approval in advance from DISSA for the duration and type of academic

training. For exchange, undergraduate, and master’s degree students, academic training cannot exceed the number of months of study or 18 months, whichever is less. For PhD students the limit is 36 months or the number of months of study, whichever is less. No more than 18 months of academic training may be used prior to the completion of studies. A new form DS-2019 must be issued for each 18 month period.

Work Outside the U.S.A foreign graduate can work for an employer outside the U.S. without a U.S. work visa.

Return to SchoolMany foreign graduates re-enroll in school in F-1 status if they miss the H-1B quota.

Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students 12

What to Expect in the Job and Internship Search Process

Understanding US Business Culture• American business culture tends to be individualistic and competitive: people are often focused

on their personal success over the success of the group they are in as a whole.• “Time is money”: projects move at a quick pace and inefficient use of time is seen as a huge loss• Business professionals are often direct and assertive. They would rather get to the point of a con-

versation than cautiously approach a subject.• Being “on time” means being five minutes early. Show up early to everything!• Managers are action-oriented. They want quantitative results and processes that will clearly cre-

ate a positive impact on the “bottom line” of their company.• Data is key in making decisions. Everything is quantified and assessed in an attempt to under-

stand and improve upon business activities and processes.• Risk-taking is normal and often encouraged in business practices.• Work is important to a person’s identity, and hard work is greatly valued and admired.• Change is constant. Companies are always looking to improve their products to make them bet-

ter and to meet customers’ needs.

Understanding the U.S. Communication Style• Smile! If you don’t smile, you may ome off as unapproachable, dissatisfied, or unpleasant.• Maintain at least an arm’s length of space when you are speaking with someone.• Shake hands when you meet someone, but don’t expect more physical contact beyond this.• Eye contact is key. Be sure to meet the eyes of the person you are talking to frequently.• Be sure to use greetings and closings when you start and end a conversation.• Address people you meet as Mr. or Ms. (Last Name) to start, but then use the preferred name if

they tell you to.

Understanding U.S. Recruiting Practices• Think of employers as ‘buyers’ and candidates as ‘sellers’: you have to market yourself to stand

out.• Fairness, diversity, and equal opportunity are emphasized in the recruiting process.• In the beginning of the screening process, employers look for reasons NOT to hire you before

they figure out why they should hire you.• It is important to be “well-rounded” with your college experiences. Just having good grades

most likely will not be enough to get you an interview.• Networking is key! It is a long-term process that should be personal and mutually beneficial for

you and the other person involved.• Interviews are an important tool for recruiters to assess your level of interest, enthusiasm, and

confidence.• Stick to small talk. Avoid controversial topics such as politics and religion.• Be prepared to explain the skills you gained through your international work/leadership

experience since most recruiters will be unfamiliar. • While it is important to look for a job that you qualify for as an international applicant, be sure to

consider the job itself and not just the fact that they can provide you a visa in your decision.

13 Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students

Companies That Hired International Students for a Full-time Position: 2015-2017Company Major Hired Location

Aishi Finance (2016) Accounting China

Pin’an Insurance Co. (2015) Risk Management China

JWT Worldwide (2017) Marketing Ecuador

Quadrum Solutions (2015) Marketing India

Lazard Asset Management (2017) Accounting Japan

C.J. Miller, LLC. (2015) Marketing Korea

Khazanah Nasional (2017) Finance Malaysia

Dicarina (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems Panama

Saudi Aramco (2015,2016) Accounting, MIS, Supply Chain & Information Systems, Finance

Saudi Arabia

Heineken (2017) Accounting Singapore

Eurotran (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems Taiwan

General Electric (2015) Finance United Kingdom

Adgenics (2015) Marketing US

AIG (2015-2017) Finance, Supply Chain & Information Systems, MIS, Risk Management

US

Altus Group (2015) Finance US

Annie International (2015) Supply Chain & Information Systems US

BlackRock (2015/2016) Accounting, Finance US

Bloomberg L.P. (2015) Finance US

Cigna (2016) Risk Management US

Cognizant Technology Solutions (2016) Finance US

Cummins Inc. (2015, 2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems US

Dell (2016) Accounting US

Diamond Consulting (2017) Marketing US

EY (2015,2016) Accounting, Finance, Risk Management-Actuarial Science, MIS, Supply Chain, Marketing

US

Freedom Mortgage (2017) MIS US

Goldman Sachs (2015) Finance US

Habison Walker International (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems US

High Point Solutions (2015,2016) Supply Chain & Information Systems US

KMPG (2015-2017) Accounting, MIS US

Linde Gas (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems US

Morgan Stanley (2017) Finance US

Options Group (2017) Accounting US

Solomon Edwards (2017) Finance US

TE Connectivity (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems US

Amazon.com (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems, Management US, Costa Rica

Deloitte (2015-2017) Accounting, Finance, Risk Management, Supply Chain US, Canada, China

PwC (2015-2017) Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing, Risk Management

US, China, Hong Kong, South Africa

International Student Hiring Data*

* This list should be used as a reference, but does not guarantee that these employers will be able to sponsor students. This will vary from year to year based on business need. To see more data on where students have found internships, visit https://careerconnections.smeal.psu.edu/international-students/internationalhires/.

Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students 14

US Companies That Hired International Students for a Internship: 2015-2017Company Major Hired

Access Bio (2015) Accounting

BRT inc. (2017) Accounting

D & J Construction Consulting (2015) Accounting

Dell (2016) Accounting

Franklin Templeton Investments (2015) Accounting

Fareportal (2017) Accounting

Harvest Wealth Management (2017) Accounting

Loreal (2017) Accounting

Okma Academy (2017) Accounting

Options Group (2017) Accounting

ProSci (2017) Accounting

Roland Berger Accounting

School Districts Insurance Consortium (2015) Accounting

Small Business Development Center (2015) Accounting

Abundance Wealth Counselors (2017) Accounting

EXR Real Estate Group (2017) Accounting

Deloitte (2016/2017) Accounting, Finance

EY (2016/2017) Accounting, Finance

Morgan Stanley (2017) Accounting, Finance

PwC (2016/2017) Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Risk Management-Actuarial Science, Supply Chain and Information Systems

Penn State University (2015/2017) Accounting, Finance, Risk Management-Actuarial Science

Citibank (2016) Accounting, Marketing

Accenture (2016) Accounting, Marketing

KPMG (2016/2017) Accounting, MIS, Supply Chain & Information Systems

Aon Hewitt (2017) Accounting, Risk Management-Actuarial Science

Boaz Dvir-Independent Filmmaker (2017) CIENT

Salvatore Ferragamo (2017) Finance

Alcoa (2017) Finance

Archer Daniels Midland (2015) Finance

Bryant Park Capital (2015) Finance

CICC US Securities (2015) Finance

Copper Beech Townhomes (2015) Finance

Friend Services for Aging (2017) Finance

GE (2017) Finance

Grant Thornton (2017) Finance

Havas Media (2017) Finance

iA Consulting Group (2017) Finance

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) (2017) Finance

ITC (2015) Finance

National Securities (2016) Finance

Science Applications International Corporation (2017) Finance

Sairong Information Technology Corp (2017) Finance

Schlumberger (2017) Finance

Quantum Potential Corp. (2015) Finance

To see more data on where students have found internships, visit https://careerconnections.smeal.psu.edu/international-students/internationalhires/.

15 Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students

Quantum Potential Corp. (2015) Finance

Uber Technologies (2017) Finance

VideoMining (2015) Finance

Wexford Capital (2017) Finance

Zoompoint (2017) Finance

AIG (2016/2017) Finance, Management Information Systems, Risk Management

BNP Paribas (2017) Finance, Risk Management-Actuarial Science

McKinsey & Company, Inc. (2017) Management

NAI Emory Hill (2017) Management

Pharmaron (2017) Management

PromoGroup (2016) Management

Rita Ltd. (2015) Management

Cox Automotive (2017) Management Information Systems

Avitron (2015) Management Information Systems

Conde Nast (2016) Management Information Systems

Reckitt Benckiser (2016) Management Information Systems

Accuweather (2016/2017) Marketing

Bryan Cave Consulting Firm (2015) Marketing

Colgate-Palmolive (2016) Marketing

Combus Tech (2017) Marketing

Face to Face (2017) Marketing

Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare (2015) Marketing

Schoolwires (2015) Marketing

UniFood Corp (2017) Marketing

Cigna (2016-2017) Marketing, Risk Management

Unilever (2016) Marketing, Supply Chain & Information Systems

Chelsea Hotels (2015) Risk Management

City of Philadelphia (2015) Risk Management

Towers Watson (2016) Risk Management

Falls Lake Insurance (2017) Risk Management-Actuarial Science

Intersections Insurance Services Inc. (2017) Risk Management-Actuarial Science

Small Enterprise Assistance Funds (2016) Supply Chain & Information Systems

American Eagle Outfitters (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems

Apex Logistics International (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems

ASA Travel (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems

Aircraft Shopper Online (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems

Bimbo Bakeries (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems

Coca Cola Company (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems

Cummins, Inc. (2015-2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems

DHL (2016) Supply Chain & Information Systems

Global Display Solutions (2015) Supply Chain & Information Systems

Green Towers LLC. (2015) Supply Chain & Information Systems

M/C Partners (2015) Supply Chain & Information Systems

Pro Telecom LLC. (2015) Supply Chain & Information Systems

TE Connectivity (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems

Under Armour (2017) Supply Chain & Information Systems

To see more data on where students have found internships, visit https://careerconnections.smeal.psu.edu/international-students/internationalhires/.

Hiring Resources for Smeal Undergraduate International Students 16

Additional ResourcesU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services• USCIS home page: https://www.uscis.gov/• Working in the US: https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/working-us• Temporary Worker info: https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-nonimmigrant-workers• H-1B Visa Information: https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-oc-

cupations-dod-cooperative-research-and-development-project-workers-and-fashion-models• Green Card Information: https://www.uscis.gov/greencard

Department of Homeland Security• DHS Study in the States info: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/

Penn State Career Services• Penn State Career Services website: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career

The National Association of Colleges and Employers• NACE home page: https://www.naceweb.org/• Resources and news for international students: https://www.naceweb.org/tag/international-students/

Get in Touch with the Business Career Center

Visit Our Website• Find career resourcs, event information, and leadership opportunities at https://careerconnections.smeal.psu.edu/

Make an Appointment• Schedule an appointment with a career coach through Nittany Lion Careers: nittanylioncareers.psu.edu

Contact Us• Send us an email at smealcareers@smeal.psu.edu• Drop in our office in 114 Business Building from 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday